Abstract: A video processing and analysis system is coupled to a building management and control system. The video processing system provides traffic, occupancy, and other information derived from video images of sections of the building and its environs to the building management and control systems. The building systems use this information in a variety of business management applications, including maintenance scheduling, asset replacement, elevator dispatching, HVAC and lighting control, and so on, to reduce operational or maintenance costs, expedite emergency procedures, improve service levels of building facilities, and regulate the building's environmental conditions.

Abstract: A video processing and analysis system is coupled to a building management and control system. The video processing system provides traffic, occupancy, and other information derived from video images of sections of the building and its environs to the building management and control systems.

Abstract: A video interface kernel with a defined application program interface includes each of a plurality of core functions for interfacing with video equipment and video processing subsystems. The core functions include such functions as video capture and video output, video recording and playback, and event notification. Optional embodiments include video analysis functions and/or interfaces to analysis subsystems, as well as interfaces to point-of-sale terminals, access control systems, and location tracking systems. An intelligent video management module facilitates managing the interactions among the other modules of the kernel, further simplifying the application level interface.

Abstract: A video retrieval system is presented that allows a user to quickly and easily select and receive stories of interest from a video stream. The video retrieval system classifies stories and delivers samples of selected stories that match each user's current preference. The user's preferences may include particular broadcast networks, persons, story topics, keywords, and the like. Key frames of each selected story are sequentially displayed; when the user views a frame of interest, the user selects the story that is associated with the key frame for more detailed viewing. This invention is particularly well suited for targeted news retrieval. In a preferred embodiment, news stories are stored, and the selection of a news story for detailed viewing based on the associated key frames effects a playback of the selected news story. The principles of this invention also allows a user to effect a directed search of other types of broadcasts as well.

Abstract: When a person requests access to a chat session, the time of the request is used to determine which chat room the person is placed. Other parameters are used to determine the surrounding factors, or context, within which the person initiated the request, such as the particular television program that the person was watching at the time of the request. By forming chat rooms based on the time of entry and the context in which the request is made, the chat rooms are likely to contain people with a common topic to discuss, such as the television news story being broadcast at that time. These time-of-entry chat rooms can also be structured to be of limited duration, obviating the overhead burden of deleting topic-specific chat rooms when the topic ceases to be of interest.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking a changeable description of an article labeled by a machine-readable label (MRL) allows articles like fresh vegetables to be labeled with MRL devices. A unique code in the MRL is correlated with descriptive information about the article including, possibly, changeable information such as a remaining quantity of the article. The descriptive information can be updated, so for example, if the information relates to a bottle of vinegar, the quantity remaining is always correlated to the MRL if the information is regularly updated. Thus, for example, a household inventory can be maintained with quantities that are below an initial value of a purchased item. Also, fresh foods like vegetables and deli foods can be automatically tracked by a home inventory system that reads MRL devices such as radio frequency identification tags.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pricing items, such as goods or services, which features the use of price tags having customer readable displays which can be controlled via a central processor or computer in response to monitored environmental conditions

Abstract: A terminal receives data from a storage device that stores data indicating a topic about which information is sought or with reference to which some transaction is desired. The terminal initiates an exchange with a network server and the terminal by transmitting the data received from the storage device. If an indication is made at the terminal that either a further exchange is not desired or that the terminal cannot presently connect with the server, the data from the storage device is saved in a memory for later use in conducting the further exchange. Various options attending this context include providing for the delivery of information by an alternate channel and other options.

Abstract: A method and system for reading machine-readable label devices and searching resources bases responsive to the context in which the reading took place provides versatility and intelligence that insures users will obtain real value from their use. For example, the system may be used to obtain information about a product fitted with a transponder. The system goes beyond monolithic information-gathering and transaction automation by exploiting context information and flexible search engine technology and by using natural language parsing to make searching to make creation and maintenance of resource bases more economical.

Abstract: A method and system for reading machine-readable label devices and searching resources bases responsive to the context in which the reading took place provides versatility and intelligence that insures users will obtain real value from their use. For example, the system may be used to obtain information about a product fitted with a transponder. The system goes beyond monolithic information-gathering and transaction automation by exploiting context information and flexible search engine technology and by using natural language parsing to make searching to make creation and maintenance of resource bases more economical.

Abstract: When a person requests access to a chat session, the time of the request is used to determine which chat room the person is placed. Other parameters are used to determine the surrounding factors, or context, within which the person initiated the request, such as the particular television program that the person was watching at the time of the request. By forming chat rooms based on the time of entry and the context in which the request is made, the chat rooms are likely to contain people with a common topic to discuss, such as the television news story being broadcast at that time. These time-of-entry chat rooms can also be structured to be of limited duration, obviating the overhead burden of deleting topic-specific chat rooms when the topic ceases to be of interest.

Abstract: A method and system for reading machine-readable label (MRL) devices and searching resources bases responsive to the context in which the reading took place provides a default mode that supplies useful options when matching resources cannot be identified from the MRL or other data. The user is given the option of defining his/her own response and matching template. Alternatively or in concert, the user may receive a generic response based on a lesser match or a message suggesting the user scan a different MRL or use a different object associated with the MRL reader.

Abstract: A terminal receives data from a storage device that stores data indicating a topic about which information is sought or with reference to which some transaction is desired. The terminal initiates an exchange with a network server and the terminal by transmitting the data received from the storage device. If an indication is made at the terminal that either a further exchange is not desired or that the terminal cannot presently connect with the server, the data from the storage device is saved in a memory for later use in conducting the further exchange. Various options attending this context include providing for the delivery of information by an alternate channel and other options.

Abstract: A method and system for reading machine-readable label devices and searching resources bases responsive to the context in which the reading took place provides versatility and intelligence that insures users will obtain real value from their use. For example, the system may be used to obtain information about a product fitted with a transponder. The system goes beyond monolithic information-gathering and transaction automation by exploiting context information and flexible search engine technology and by using natural language parsing to make searching to make creation and maintenance of resource bases more economical.

Abstract: A method and system for completing transactions with a document such as a movie ticket. The document has a machine-readable label affixed to it. An account is associated with an identifier stored in the machine-readable label allowing a user to complete a transaction with the document as if it were a credit card. This make impulse purchasing more likely because transactions can be completed without a separate step for account identification and authorization.

Abstract: A method and system for reading machine-readable label devices and searching resources bases responsive to the context in which the reading took place provides versatility and intelligence that insures users will obtain real value from their use. For example, the system may be used to obtain information about a product fitted with a transponder. The system goes beyond monolithic information-gathering and transaction automation by exploiting context information and flexible search engine technology and by using natural language parsing to make searching to make creation and maintenance of resource bases more economical.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking a changeable description of an article labeled by a machine-readable label (MRL) allows articles like fresh vegetables to be labeled with MRL devices. A unique code in the MRL is correlated with descriptive information about the article including, possibly, changeable information such as a remaining quantity of the article. The descriptive information can be updated, so for example, if the information relates to a bottle of vinegar, the quantity remaining is always correlated to the MRL if the information is regularly updated. Thus, for example, a household inventory can be maintained with quantities that are below an initial value of a purchased item. Also, fresh foods like vegetables and deli foods can be automatically tracked by a home inventory system that reads MRL devices such as radio frequency identification tags.

Abstract: When a person requests access to a chat session, the time of the request is used to determine which chat room the person is placed. Other parameters are used to determine the surrounding factors, or context, within which the person initiated the request, such as the particular television program that the person was watching at the time of the request. By forming chat rooms based on the time of entry and the context in which the request is made, the chat rooms are likely to contain people with a common topic to discuss, such as the television news story being broadcast at that time. These time-of-entry chat rooms can also be structured to be of limited duration, obviating the overhead burden of deleting topic-specific chat rooms when the topic ceases to be of interest.

Abstract: A method and device for placing orders over a network using bioauthentication account authorization for an account having different users and access levels.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the activity of an object at a remote location, includes a consumer electronic appliance having a first input for receiving data indicative of a program and a second input for receiving data indicative of the activity of the object. An activity sensor placed at the remote location senses the activity of the object and transmits data indicative of the activity to the second input of the consumer electronic appliance. The consumer electronic appliance may include an activity detector that measures the activity of the object in the object data. The activity detector may automatically cause the consumer electronic appliance to present the activity of the object if the measured activity meets a predetermined activity threshold. The consumer electronic appliance may also enable the user to momentarily observe the activity of the object or continuously monitor the activity of the object.